Tobacco harvesters



May 15, 1962 w. E. DAVIS TOBACCO HARVESTERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct.24, 1960 ATTORNEYS WIHIOTTI Edwm DCIVIS BY W ifr/VEZ/ t M MI May 15,1962 w. E. DAVIS 3,034,664

TOBACCO HARVESTERS Filed Oct. 24, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WilliamEdwin Davis BY m /N ATTORNEYS y 1962 w. E. DAVIS 3,034,664

TOBACCO HARVESTERS Filed Oct. 24, 1960 e Sheets-Sheet s FIG. 8.

William Edwin Davis ATTORNEYS I May 15, 1962 Filed Oct. 24, 1960 FIG.8A.

W. E. DAVIS TOBACCO HARVESTERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

William Edwin Davis "re-mu. 7.71%

A TTORNEYS May 15, 1962 w. E. DAVIS TOBACCO HARVESTERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed Oct. 24, 1960 INVENTOR. William Edwin Davis ATTORNEYS May 15, 1962w. E. DAVIS TOBACCO HARVESTERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed 001:. 24, 1960INVENTOR William Edwin Davis I ATTORNEYS United States The presentinvention relates to tobacco harvesters and more particularly tosimplified apparatus for facilitating the picking of tobacco leaves andtheir handling in the fields. In the harvesting of tobacco it isdesirable to pick the ripened leaves from the standing tobacco plant,fasten them in bundles of about five leaves, and drape 20 to 30 bundlesover a long stick which is used to hang the leaves in the drying barn.Formerly this has been done by using a large number of workers calledprimers, who walk between the rows of tobacco, picking the ripe leaveswith one hand and placing them under their other arm. When a primer hasaccumulated an armful of leaves, he must carry them to a tobacco truckwhich may be situated several rows away. When the truck is filled, it ismoved to another area where other workers called handers select smallbundles of about five leaves with t eir stems bunched together, whichthey hand to still other workers called loopers, who tie the stems ofthe several leaves together and drape the resulting bundles over thedrying stick on alternate sides thereof. The disadvantages of thismethod are that the leaves are thrown together in a pile and handledmany times, resulting in the deterioration of the leaves. It is a slowand costly operation because the picking, handing and tying operationsnecessarily comprise work which involves, in the first case at least,hard labor by many men. The present invention is intended to obviate thedifiiculties experienced in the past in a simple and novel manner.

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplicationof the same title, Serial No. 503,- 062, filed April 22,1955, allowed February 18, 1960, and now abandoned, which is in turn acontinuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 355,791,filed May 18, 1953, and now U.S. Patent No. 2,715,968, for TobaccoHarvesters.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, foolproofapparatus for facilitating tobacco handling operations duringharvesting.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which can bemoved between rows of tobacco plants for carrying the tobacco leafprimers and facilitating their work of picking, automatically bundling,looping and mounting the tobacco leaves on a drying stick.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for holdingtobacco leaves in bundles for mounting the bundles on an elongate stick,many of which can be carried on the apparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide simple means for storinglooped hands of tobacco on sticks on a raised platform carried by theapparatus high enough to clear the tobacco plants over which it passes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine having conveyormeans to carry bundled leaves of tobacco from the primer seated near theplants being harvested to a looper standing on a raised platform withautomatic means for the removal of the bundle to the conveyor anddepositing the bundle in suitable receiving means.

It is an object of the invention to provide a tobacco harvester havingspring pressed clips thereon for graspatent ing and conveying bundles oftobacco leaves from a point 5 Reference is made to US. Patent No.2,786,585, for Y Tobacco Harvesters, and US. Patent No. 2,954,132 forTobacco Harvester With Automatic Looping Mechanism, for sup lementalbackground.

In the drawings, like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of one form of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary elevation of a spring pressed clip mountedaccording to the invention.

FIGURE 2A is a plan view of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a spring pressed clip mounted on aconveyor chain.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary View partly in section of one form of mountingfor spring pressed clips.

FIGURE 4A is a plan view of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary elevation of one form of adjustable primerseat mounting.

FIGURE 6 is an elevation of a variation in arrangement of the invention.

FIGURE 7 is a fragment showing of the releasing mechanism in action.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 8A is a side elevation of a preferred arrangement of theinvention.

FIGURE 83 is a rear elevation of the arrangement of FIGURE 8A.

/ FIGURE is a perspective view of the arrangement of FIGURE 8A.

A machine frame 10, comprising piping or angle iron of suitable shape,supports a primer seat 11 located close to the ground in which theprimer sits with his feet extended and placed on a foot rest 12. Frame10 also supports a raised platform or floor 13 on which is located abasket 14 removably secured thereto and. positioned to receive hands oftobacco. A tubular framework 15 is carried by frame 10 and comprises aportion extending above the platform or floor 13 which is curved in asemi-circle as at 17. The portion 16 of tubular member 15 extendingbelow the platform 13 to a point adjacent the primer seat 11 may bestraight or, if desired, curved, as shown in dotted lines. As shown inFIGURES 4 and 4A tube 15 has mounted on the upper surface thereof steeltrack means 18 of sufficient width to receive the roller 19 of a tobaccohand carrying chain 20 rather snugly, without binding. The side portionsof the individual chain links extend downwardly and serve to maintainthe bunched hand carrying chain 20 on the track portion 18 despite anytwist due to loading thereof. At the lower end of tubular member 15 isan idler sprocket 22 which is mounted on a stub member 23 whichtelescopes in the lower end of the member 15 and is spring presseddownwardly so as to maintain the links of the carrier chain 20 taut. Thelinks of the chain 20 are driven at a desired speed by sprocket 24connected to a suitable motor shaft 25 which is geared down as shown sothat the chain 20* moves at a sufiiciently slow speed to accommodate theactions of a primer sitting in seat 11 in harvesting tobacco. Mounted onthe links of chain 20 are spring pressed clips 26 comprising tworelatively large wheels 27 and 28 one of which is pivotally mounted onone of the arms 29 and 30 and urged toward each other in tobacco handgrasping relation by spring 31 which also serves as a cooperatingresilient means for holding a tobacco hand.

In the form of the device shown in FIGURES 4 and 4A, arm 29 is firmlyfastened to a link of the chain 20 by pin means 32 and arm 30 ispivotally mounted at 33 to a lip means 34 projecting from and carried bya link. Arm 30 will be seen to have an olfset at 35 for reasons thatwill be described later. Mounted on tube 17 adjacent the basket 14 is abracket 36 carrying a pin projection 37 so positioned that it willengage the offset portion 35 of arm 30 as it passes by and separate thewheels 27 and 28 against the resilient action of the spring 31. The pin37 is so positioned with respect to the offset portion 35 that as thechain moves by, the offset portion 35 will slip oh? the pin 37 and bereleased, so that it will automatically return to hand grasping relationwith respect to arm 29 under the return action of spring 31. A modifiedform of bracket 36 is shown at 42 and may be preferred where the handstend to twist clips 26 and chain 20 slightly, but not enough to requireupper track 38.

The operation of the device of FIGURES 1, 4, 4A, 7 and 8 is as follows.With a primer seated in seat 11 and the tobacco harvester proceeding atregulation speed between rows of ripe tobacco, the primer harvests thetobacco by selecting the ripe leaves to be picked and inserts handscomprising groups of fixe or six leaves with their stems up and bunchedtogether between the rollers 27 and 28 as they pass by him on theadjacent portion of track 18. The clips comprising the rollers 27, 28continue along with the chain on which they are mounted and follow theupward rise of track 18 and the curve 17 to a point adjacent and abovethe basket 14 at which the pin 37 engages the projecting portion 35 ofarm 30. As explained above, pin 37 operates to pivot the arm 30 aboutthe point 33, stretching spring 31 separating wheels 27 and 28 anddepositing the hand of tobacco in basket 14. As the chain 20 continuesto move, the projection 35 slips off the pin 37 and the spring 31restores the wheels 24 and 25 into hand grasping relationship so thatwhen they again pass adjacent the seat 11 the primer may insert anotherhand in the clip. When the basket 14 is filled, it can be placed upon apallet 38 and lowered by crane arrangement 39 to a suitable truck.However, in normal operation the pallet 39 carried by the platform 13 isintended to be filled with tobacco sticks on which the hands of tobaccoare looped and the basket 14 has as its primary function to catch thosehands which the looper has not removed from the clips, and inconjunction with the automatic trip of pin 37, assures that the clipsare always free for the insertion of new harvested hands of tobacco bythe primer in seat 11.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the curved tracks 50 may be placed one after theother in echelon. The two sprockets 51 and 52 may be on the same shaftif desired. Otherwise, a chain drive is provided between the shafts 53and 54 to supply power for both conveyor chains 55 and 56 from motordrive 57. As shown in my copending application and the patents referredto above, and in FIGURES 8A, 8B and 8C, they may also be placed inside-by-side relation.

In the form shown, the wheels 27, 28 are relatively large and haverounded rims so as to insure that the leaf stems are not broken and thatthe depending hands are permitted a certain amount of freedom to swing alittle under the action of gravity when held between wheels 27, 28 andspring 31.

As shown in FIGURES 2, 2A, 3, 5, 8A, 8B and 8C, a preferred form oftobacco harvester embodying the invention comprises a platform 100supported by two upright rear leg members 101 and 102 which mountrubber-tired Wheels 103 and are braced by tubes or angles 104 to thesides of frame 100. Braces 105 provide lateral support for rear legmembers 101 and 102 which are adjustable transversely as much as eightor twelve inches. The rear transverse member 106 of frame platform 100is constructed of two channel members facing each other and spaced aboutinch apart to receive the leg mounting bolts which may be loosened fortransverse adjustment of the legs 101, 102, or reversal thereof toreduce vehicle width, for highway transportation. For this purpose theleg members 101 and 102, with their braces 104, have a cross member 107to which they are welded or bolted, providing a strong base when boltedto the underside of the dual channel near frame member 106.

The longitudinal frame members 108 are channel elements positioned ontheir sides with the base inward and are connected to a front transversemember 109. Members 106, 108 and 109 comprise the frame 110 and supportthe platform 100.

A central post 111 is fastened to the frame 110 and firmly braced bytube or angle members 112 which have been omitted from FIGURE 80 forclarity. Post 111 is fitted with a jack 113 and a coupling 114. Jack 113has a foot member 115 capable of supporting the harvester, and may bemanually adjusted so that coupling 114 is at the correct height to fitinto tractor coupling 116 on tractor 117 and secured by pin 118. Afterthe harvester is coupled to tractor 117, the foot 115 is raised clear ofthe ground so as not to interfere with movement of the harvester whenbeing hauled by tractor 117.

Platform 100 is supported by additional longitudinal frame members 108centrally located between the outer longitudinal members 108. Members108 have mounted thereon seat supporting angles 119 with a series ofspaced slots 120 for receiving selected links of chains 121 from whichare suspended seat supports 122. Seat supports 122 are bracket shaped,with fore and aft chains attached to the ends of the upper arm 123. Aprimers seat 124 is mounted firmly on the lower arm 125 and anadjustable back rest 126 is slidably mounted on the upright central part127 which joins upper arm 123 and lower arm 125. As the links of chains121 slide into spaced slots 120 it will be seen that seats 124 are fullyadjustable fore and aft, up and down, and may be tilted as desired. Asthey are chain suspended they are easily swung transversely to suit theprimers convenience in selecting and picking ripe tobacco leaves. Withsuch a chain support the angle supports 119 need be mounted for onlylimited transverse adjustment as at 128, if at all. For normalconstruction transverse adjustment of the angle supports 119 may ingeneral be dispensed with.

Longitudinal members 108 carry conveyor chain positioning rods 129 whichare transversely slidable and pivoted at 130 at their upper ends andslidably mounted at their lower ends on a horizontal member 131 bylocking sleeve 132 which may be fixed in a desired position. The lengthof rods 129 may be adjusted at 133. Horizontal members 131 extend beyondsleeve 132 which supports them and have a cantilever extension 134 whichcarries slidable footrest 135 which may be adjusted and then locked inposition. The rear end of each horizontal member 131 is bent as at 136and is anchored in a suitable manner. In the showing of FIGURES 8A-Cthere are 'four members 131. The outer two members 131 have their bentportions 136 anchored to rear leg members 101 and 102, respectively. Theinner two members 131 have their bent portions 136 anchored to ahorizontal member 137 by adjustable connectors 138. Horizontal member137 is braced and connected firmly to the frame 110 by rear ladder steps139 and brace 140.

Conveyor chain positioning rods 129 carry a slidably adjustable bearingsupport 141 which mounts sprocket 142 meshing with conveyor chain 143and determining its point closest to primer seat 124 within easy reachof a primer harvesting tobacco. Chains 142 carry spring clips 144 andpass through a guard 145 supported by rods 129. Guard 145 is a channelmember open at the point of insertion of the primers hand for placingbundles in clips 150. Guide-guard 145 permits chain 143 to be run slackand prevents injury such as losing a finger, at sprocket 142. A loosechain 142 may be lifted off the sprockets at any time, or the chainstopped by grasping by the hand.

Conveyor chains 143 each extends above the platform 100 and meshes withfour sprockets in addition to a sprocket 142. Of these groups of fivesprockets, sprocket 142 is both a chain positioning sprocket and atension adjusting sprocket. A second sprocket 146 in each group is adrive sprocket for the respective conveyor chain 143. The four drivesprockets 146 are keyed to shaft 147 which is preferably driven by aseparate small gasoline motor 148. The use of a motor instead of drivingof the rear wheels 1132 or 103 gives better speed control and keeps theconveyor chains running at set speed where the harvester slows down orsteps, allowing for uneven or heavy yields, and does not leave tobaccohanging on the chain out of reach of the loopers standing on platform1110. Again, the conveyor chains do not operate on the highway merelybecause the harvester is moving. Motor 1148 drives shaft 147 through aslip clutch 149 which permits the chains 143 to stop in the event of ajam or accident.

Conveyor chains 143 extend above the platform 101 and are maintained ina path which sweeps above and around the position of a looper onplatform 100 such that a major part of the conveyor chain path above theplatform and the tobacco bundles conveyed by the chain are positionedwithin an area of small compass while moving along the sweeping path toprovide normally ample time for the manual removal of tobacco hands orleaf bundles from the clips 144 as they move along. Although the curvedpath of FIGS. 1, 6 and 8 is preferred, as providing a smoother operationas well as for aesthetic reasons, the construction of FIGS. 8A, 8B and80 can approximate the curved track element sufficiently to achievesatisfactory results at a lower cost.

The framing 162 carries sprockets 163, 164 and 165 which are arranged toprovide a conveyor chain path which sweeps above and around the positionof a loopers hands when standing in a working position on platform 100,and allows sufiicient time for the removal of the bundles from clips150. Although recycling of the bundles is eliminated by automaticrelease, it is desirable to handle the tobacco as little as possible.Automatic release by trip means or cam action requires that the loosebundles which have been dropped into a basket or bag be picked up and inmany cases reassembled before looping. Where bulk curing under forceddraft with heated air is employed the trip means may be employedextensively and the need for looping may be substantially eliminated.

Conveyor chains 143 carry spring clips 150. One arm 151 is fixed rigidlyat 152, to a link of chain 143 which assures the clips 150 being in thecorrect position for use at all times, both for insertion of bundles,removal of bundles, and automatic release. Such mounting preventsspinning clips and clips being in upside down position. Movable clip arm153 is pivoted in bearing 154 having substantial length which preventsbinding and provides very easy insertion and removal by the primers andloopers, eliminating bruised tobacco. A spring 155 urges arms 151 and153 resiliently together with a very easy, smooth action because ofelongate bearing 154. Although bundles of tobacco are gripped firmly bythe clip 150 they are free to adjust under the action of gravity so thatthe tobacco is not broken or bruised. Clip arms 15 1 and 153 are bentoutward at their free lower ends and pivotally mount rollers 156 whichhave a convex upper surface 1'57. Because rollers 156 and 157 are offsetfrom arms 151 and 153 they exert a twisting action at the bearing 154.When arms 151 and 153 are merely pinned together, this twisting actioncauses them to bind and even jam. This eccentric loading is readilycarried by bearing 154 which extends across the yoke part 158 of arm151. A slight tilt of the rollers 156 allows multidirectional insertionand removal of tobacco bundles.

Movable clip arm 153 carries a projection 159 which serves as a camfollower for the automatic release of bundles into a basket or bag 160.A cam means 161 is mounted on framing 162 which mounts sprockets*163,164 and 165 closely adjacent the path of conveyor chain 143 and has anoffset preferably inclined part 166 which engages projection or camfollower 159. The Opening force exerted by cam 161 is readily taken bylongbearing 154 so that clip 150 and chain 143 are not twisted andjammed. I

A basket or bag 167 is suspended from framing 162 just below cam means162 adjacent sprocket 165, so that any bundles missed by the loopers arenot recycled and interfere with the primer. Where the yield is heavy,recycling can make it necessary to slow down or halt the harvester,affecting the production of the entire group of nine people. Bundlesdropped in basket 167 are later looped as time permits unless the cropis bulk cured as mentioned above. Framing 162 is supported by uprights168 mounted on platform 1% preferably not far removed from longitudinalframe members 168. Horizontal bracing is supplied by member 169 whichalso acts as a railing. Additional safeguard is supplied by siderailings 170 and raised well guards 171 surrounding the two wells inplatform 1% through which the two central conveyor chains 143 pass toconvey bundles from the primer station to the looper station.

Adjacent each looper station on platform is mounted a tobacco stick,supply cans 172, and looping rack comprising spaced hook support members173 and 174.

Hook support members 173 are mounted on uprights 168 and carry a typingcord supply 175. Hook support members 174 are carried by transversemember 169. Cans 172 contain sticks 176 Which rest across hook members173174 while the tobacco bundles are being looped and draped alternatelyon opposite sides of each stick 176. Filled sticks are stacked on rearplatform extension 177. A canvas canopy 178 provides protection from sunand weather.

Where the crop is to be bulk cured the sticks 176 are no longernecessary. Cans 172 may be used to store extra bags 167 which would belarger than those shown in the drawing. Baskets could not be stored incans 172, but could be nested on platform extens on 177 until needed.

The operation of the form of harvester shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C isas follows:

Supplies are checked to an adequate supply tying twine 175 and tobaccosticks 176 in cans 172 at each looper station. Jack 113 is adjusted sothat coupling 114 is at the correct height for tractor coupling 116. Theharvester is then coupled to tractor 117 by pin 118 and jack foot raisedfor clearance.

The primers adjust chains 121 in slots 128 so that their individualseats 124 are positioned to best advantage in relation to conveyor chain143 at sprocket 142 and the ground level. The whole seat assembly shouldswing freely from side to side. Back rests 126 and foot rests areadjusted to suit the individual primer. Position ing rods 129 areadjusted at 132 and 133 to assure correct tension on conveyor chains 143which are run loose to increase machine life and afford safety to theprimer. A primer should be able to stop his conveyor chain 143 bygrasping a clip and to lift it off the sprocket 142 in an emergency.This check should be made with conveyor chain drive motor 148 runningand, if necessary, clutch 149 should be adjusted to slip when a chain143 is held by hand. All sprockets and clips should be oiled and movefreely.

With primers and loopers at their stations the tractor 117 with theattached harvester is driven into a tobacco field and along the rows oftobacco at a speed of between one and two miles an hour. Tractor speedand the speed of motor 148 are adjusted to suit the character of theland and of the crop being harvested. As the harvester travels along therows of tobacco the primers select the ripe leaves and break them offthe stalks. The seats 124 may be easily swung sideways to facilitatethis work of selecting suitable leaves and harvesting them. Bundles offive or six leaves are inserted, stems up, between rollers 156. of clips150 and are carried by chains 143 to the respective looper stationsabove platform 100. The pointed teeth of sprockets 142', 163, 164 and165 allow the chain 143 to be pushed to one side without coming off thesprocket.

The loopers have each placed a stick 176 on support books 173 and 174 inpreparation to receive looped bundles. As a bundle arrives on chains 143the looper grasps it firmly below clip 150, pulls it free, loops tyingcord 175 around the bunched ends, and drapes it over the stick 176,ready to receive it. The bundles hang down from the stick 176,alternately on opposite sides and are held in place by the looped tyingcord 175 held taut by the weight of the bundles. When a stick 176 isfull the looper cuts the string or cord 175 and ties it to the end ofthe stick. Full sticks are placed on platform 100 and extension 177 anda new stick is placed in supports 173 and 174. [If during this changeover or for any other reason, the looper is not able to remove a bundlefrom its clip 150 during the extended time it is passing along itssweeping path around the looper position and the bundle approachessprocket 165, inclined portion 166 of cam 161 engages cam followerprojection 159 on arm 153 of the clip 150 and causes the arms 151 and153 to separate against the action of tension spring 155 and to depositthe bundle of leaves in the basket 167 to prevent recycling, resultingin less damaged tobacco and less loss of time.

A harvester of the above type frees the tractor for other work andreduces harvester maintenance to a minimum by the simplification ofparts of the machine. The machine is highly stable because of width andcross bracing and is well suited to rough terrain. Safety is promoted byreducing sprocket hazards by reducing the number and size of existingsprockets which are more easily shielded. Using a loose chain and slipclutch promotes safety and saves time, as discussed above.

The ski lift type seats are highly adjustable. The primer can adjust hisseat to a semi-reclining position or to any position he desires,momentarily, and without the use of tools. The seats are flexiblymounted and the primer can position himself as desired in relation to arow of tobacco by the use of his feet on the foot rest. This feature ishighly desirable as it gives a primer with short arms a longer effectivereach, and allows one with long arms to back off. In tobacco rows, ofuneven width, the primer is able to swing his body clear and avoiddamaging the tobacco.

The fixed non-binding clips make it easier to insert tobacco bundles.This permits a heavier spring to be used, thereby decreasing thepossibility of fall out. The clips are fastened solidly to the conveyorchain and are properly supported by a guide rail. When a primer insertsthe tobacco bundles there is no flexing of the conveyor chain orspinning of the clip. Clips are never presented to the primer upsidedown or filled with recycling tobacco. The conveyor chains arepreferably constructed of detachable pressed steel and repairs are verysimple and inexpensive. The clips are spaced at eighteen inch intervals,giving the primer more available clips and eliminating the need forwaiting. The harvester is easily adjustable to varying row widths bymoving the rear legs in or out.

For bulk curing of the crop baskets or bags 167 are used and theautomatic trip means may be relied upon to deposit hands therein.However, in view of the need of forced draft to drive the heated airthrough the filled baskets during the curing operation, it may bedesirable for the former loopers to remove the bundles by hand from theclips 150 and to place them in a basket 167 resting on platform 100according to a desired pattern to maximize the curing efliciency of airflow through the bulk of leaves in the basket, so as to reduce handlingto a minimum consonant with obtaining sound well cured leaves.

While there have been disclosed above what are at present believed to bethe preferred forms of the invention, it will be understood that theinvention may take various forms. The appended claims are intended tocover in generic terms all such variations as fall within the truespirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, a tobacco leaf harvester for the successiveharvesting of the ripe leaves of a field of tobacco plants withoutdamage to the continuing growth of the tobacco plants and the successiveripening of leaves higher on the plant which are to be subsequentlyharvested, comprising a frame, spaced wheels supporting the rear of saidframe, means for connecting a prime mover to the forward part of saidframe for moving the harvester along rows of tobacco to be harvested, araised tobacco receiving means comprising a platform and a leafreceiving surface secured to said frame, above said platform, a leafpickers seat mounted on said frame and positioned near the ground,flexible conveyor means carried by said frame and bundle holding springpressed clip means firmly fastened in fixed relation to said flexibleconveyor means for conveying loose bundles of tobacco leaves with theirbunched stems up and leaves in draped depending position from a pointwithin easy reach of said seat to a point above said tobacco receivingmeans, independent motor drive means to move said conveyor means andsaid bundle holding means, at a speed which can be regulatedindependently of the harvester speed, release means positioned adjacentsaid leaf receiving surface, means mounting said conveyor means on saidframe and maintaining said conveying means and said bundle holding meansfirmly in a position such that said release means engages said bundleholding means individually and releases any leaf bundle carried therebyupon said tobacco leaf receiving surface, said release engagement beingautomatic as the holding means are carried past the release means andrecycling of leaf bundles is eliminated, said means mounting saidconveyor means comprising positioning means such that the upper portionof said conveyor means above said platform conveys the bundles oftobacco in a path which sweeps above and around said leaf receivingsurface along a locus the major part of which is within easy arm reachof an operator stationed on said platform adjacent said leaf receivingsurface whereby said bundles are positioned within an area of smallcompass while moving along said major part of said locus to providenormally ample time for the manual removal of leaf bundles from saidconveyor means.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, said conveyor means comprisinga linked chain, said bundle holding spring pressed clip means eachfirmly fastened to a link of said chain and having an arm which is movedby said release means upon engagement as it passes to release tobaccoleaves.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2, said positioning meanscomprising a curved track element having a circular portion with saidrelease means mounted closely adjacent thereto, said conveyor chainsliding over said track element with said spring pressed clipsprojecting outwardly from said chain.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3, said track element having thelinks of said conveyor chain extending downward on each side thereof toform guiding flanges to help maintain said chain on said track.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4, a basket comprising said leafreceiving surface and having upstanding walls in leaf receiving relationto said track, a forward centrally located wheel for said frame, a motoroverlying said forward wheel, said means for connecting a prime mover tosaid frame for moving the harvester comprising mounting means for saidmotor and a drive chain between said motor and said forward wheel.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5, said means mounting saidconveyor means having combined guide and positioning means adjacent saidrelease means for maintaining said bundle holding means in positiverelease position.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6, said guide and positioningmeans forming a path for said conveyor means above said raised receivingmeans such that said bundle holding means are positioned within easyreach of said release means during the major part of their travel abovesaid raised receiving means.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7, said raised receiving meanscomprising a basket carried by said frame, said release means comprisinga projecting pin positioned on said combined guide and positioning meansdirectly above said basket to open said bundle holding spring pressedclip means.

9. The combination set forth in claim 1, said leaf pickers seats beingswingingly supported by chains, slots in said frame for receiving thelinks of said chains whereby 15 2,786,585

they are readily adjustable both With respect to distance from theground and in angle of tilt.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,213,151 Cayo Jan. 23, 1917 2,477,068 La Motte July 26, 1949 2,564,614Sowcrs Aug. 14, 1951 2,672,248 Holliday Mar. 16, 1954 2,675,136 SpikesApr. 13, 1954 2,702,134 Alpin Feb. 15, 1955 2,704,158 Long Mar. 15, 19552,715,968 Davis et a1 Aug. 23, 1955 Davis ct a1 Mar. 26, 1957

